DRIVE ARRANGEMENT AND VEHICLE WITH SUCH A DRIVE ARRANGEMENT

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a drive arrangement, in particular for a vehicle, with features of claim 1, and to a vehicle with features of the dependent claim.

[0002] To reduce friction and wear, as well as for cooling, gearboxes are lubricated with a lubricant, usually lubricating oil. To increase gearbox efficiency and reduce costs, an oil pump for circulating the lubricant within the gearbox is omitted wherever possible. In gearboxes without an oil pump, the lubrication and cooling of the individual gearbox components is achieved through passive distribution of the lubricating oil via the gears splashing in the oil (splash lubrication). Through reservoirs and appropriate geometries in the housing, the lubricating oil can be directed precisely to the components requiring lubrication / cooling (e.g., bearings, radial shaft seals, etc.). The circulation and delivery rate of the lubricating oil through the gears depend directly on the rotational speed and temperature (oil viscosity).

[0003] With little or no lubricating oil, this can lead to increased wear and even failure of the respective components. Too much lubricating oil can result in increased losses in the bearing or sealing problems at the radial shaft seal. Bearing lubrication can be achieved, for example, using deep-hole drilling. However, this is complex and expensive to manufacture.

[0004] EP 1 457 714 B1 and DE 10 2010 052 310 B4 each describe the use of a baffle plate between a radial shaft seal and a bearing to guide a lubricant used for cooling or lubricating the bearing.

[0005] The disadvantage is that lubrication of the bearing and targeted delivery of the lubricating oil to the bearing points and the radial shaft seal cannot be guaranteed in all operating conditions.

[0006] From DE 102010 052 310 B4, a generic drive arrangement is known, comprising a shaft, a rolling bearing, a radial shaft seal, and a squeegee ring arranged axially in a space between the first rolling bearing and the radial shaft seal. From DE 87 05 477 U1, an electric machine with an arrangement for the continuous lubrication of a rolling bearing is known. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] According to the invention, a drive arrangement, particularly for a vehicle, is proposed, comprising a transmission with a shaft and a first rolling bearing. The shaft can be configured as an input shaft. The first rolling bearing can be configured as an input rolling bearing.

[0008] The shaft is supported in the first rolling bearing. The gearbox also includes a radial shaft seal that seals against the shaft and provides an external seal for the gearbox. The gearbox also includes a containment ring, which is arranged axially in a space between the first rolling bearing and the radial shaft seal. The containment ring is designed to contain (collect) a fluid in this space. This fluid can be a lubricant, particularly lubricating oil. The containment ring has a flat annular body with a passage through which the shaft passes and a trough-like section attached to the annular body. In other words, the shaft extends through the passage. The passage can be circular and can be located centrally within the annular body.The retaining ring is designed to retain the fluid within the trough-like section. This trough-like section has a wall, which defines its boundaries towards the first rolling bearing and towards the radial shaft seal. In other words, the trough-like section is bounded axially by the wall and the ring.

[0009] The design according to the invention has, among other advantages, that the fluid can be directed precisely and reliably to the first rolling bearing and the radial shaft seal. The amount of fluid supplied to the first rolling bearing and the radial shaft seal can be precisely adjusted (decreased or increased) by means of the dam ring. This allows bearing losses at the first rolling bearing and leaks at the radial shaft seal to be reduced, at least to a considerable extent, or even completely prevented.

[0010] For example, by reducing the amount of fluid reaching the radial shaft seal, a different radial shaft seal including a discharge function for shaft voltage can be used without leaks, thus eliminating the need for a second grounding ring or similar.

[0011] According to a further development, at least one chamber can be arranged between the annular body of the sealing ring and the radial shaft seal. The chamber is bounded axially, in particular, by the annular body and the radial shaft seal. The chamber can be bounded radially inwards by the shaft (or its outer circumference). The chamber can be bounded radially outwards, at least partially, by wall sections of a gearbox housing (in which the gearbox is arranged), by a section of the radial shaft seal, and / or by a section of the annular body. The chamber can, in particular, have the shape of an annular space.

[0012] The ring body can have at least one bulge (oil drain) projecting into the trough-like section. The bulge can be located, in particular, at the lower end of the ring body relative to the direction of gravity. The bulge can be designed to drain fluid that has accumulated in the chamber (i.e., away from the radial shaft seal).

[0013] In particular, the bulge, together with a section of the gearbox housing wall, defines a section of a fluid or lubricant channel that leads from the chamber or the radial shaft seal, for example, to another rolling bearing. In other words, the bulge allows a flow connection to be established between the chamber and a bearing seat of the other rolling bearing.

[0014] In this context, "axial" or "axial direction" refers to a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. Similarly, "radial" or "radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to and radiating from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0015] According to a further development, the ring body can have at least one opening. The opening can be located, in particular, on the upper section of the ring body relative to the direction of gravity. The space between the ring and the chamber can be fluidically coupled or flow-connected via this opening.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the space between the shaft and the chamber can be fluidically coupled or flow-connected via the passage. In particular, a free annular space between the outer diameter of the shaft and the inner diameter of the passage forms a flow connection between the space between the shaft and the chamber.

[0017] In this context, a fluidic connection or flow connection means that a gas and / or a fluid (liquid) can flow between two fluidically coupled elements or between two elements in fluidic connection.

[0018] By varying the shape and / or diameter of the opening and / or passage, the amount of fluid that can flow between the space and the chamber can be adjusted.

[0019] According to a further development, the wall can have a smaller radial (i.e., radially inwardly directed) extent than the section of the ring body that bounds the trough-like section in the direction of the radial shaft seal. In other words, the wall has, in particular, a smaller height (relative to the direction of gravity) and / or a smaller area than the section of the ring body that bounds the trough-like section in the direction of the radial shaft seal.

[0020] This ensures that the fluid from the trough-like section, once it is full of fluid, can (initially) flow towards the first rolling bearing and not towards the radial shaft seal or the chamber located between the ring body of the squeegee and the radial shaft seal.

[0021] According to a further development, the gearbox can have at least one fluid collection chamber for collecting (storing) the fluid and at least one supply channel. The fluid collection chamber and / or the supply channel can be configured to supply the fluid from the fluid collection chamber to the intermediate space via the supply channel. The supply channel, in particular, fluidically connects the fluid collection chamber and the intermediate space.

[0022] The drive arrangement can include an electric machine that can be coupled to the shaft, so that the electric machine can drive the shaft in a rotating manner.

[0023] The drive arrangement can, for example, be designed as an e-axle or form part of an e-axle.

[0024] According to a further development, the gearbox can have at least one drain channel. The drain channel can be designed to drain the fluid present in the gap, relative to the direction of gravity, from the upper area, particularly above, the trough-like section.

[0025] According to a further development, the gearbox can include a second rolling bearing. The second rolling bearing can be designed as an intermediate shaft bearing. The drain channel can be configured to supply the fluid from the intermediate space to the second rolling bearing. The intermediate space and the second rolling bearing are fluidically coupled to each other, in particular by means of the drain channel.

[0026] According to the invention, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a drive arrangement as described above is proposed. Regarding the advantages achievable thereby, reference is made to the corresponding descriptions of the drive arrangement. The measures described in connection with the drive arrangement and / or those explained below can be used for further development of the vehicle.

[0027] One embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 is a perspective sectional view of a part of a drive assembly; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a part of the drive assembly according to Figure 1 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a dam ring; and Figure 4 is another perspective view of the dam ring according to Figure 3 .

[0028] The drive arrangement contributes to Figure 1The entire assembly is designated by reference numeral 10. The drive assembly 10 comprises a gearbox 14 with a shaft 12 and a first rolling bearing 16. The shaft 12 is supported in the first rolling bearing 16. The gearbox 14 also includes a radial shaft seal 18. This seal rests against the shaft 12 and seals the gearbox 14 to the outside.

[0029] The first rolling bearing 16 and the radial shaft seal 18 define a space 24. The gearbox also includes a containment ring 20, which is arranged axially between the first rolling bearing 16 and the radial shaft seal 18 (i.e., in the space 24). The containment ring 20 is designed to contain a fluid 22, in this case lubricating oil, in the space 24.

[0030] The gearbox 14 has two fluid collection chambers 40 for collecting and storing the fluid 22. The two fluid collection chambers 40 are fluidically connected to each other. The gearbox 14 also has a feed channel 42, which fluidically connects the two fluid collection chambers 40 to the intermediate space 24. In other words, the fluid 22 collected in the fluid collection chambers 40 can be fed to the intermediate space 24 via the feed channel 42. The corresponding flow rate of the fluid 22 is in Figure 1 indicated by a curved arrow.

[0031] The gearbox 14 further comprises a drain channel 44. The drain channel 44 fluidically connects the intermediate space 24 to a second rolling bearing 46. In other words, the fluid 22 can be directed from the intermediate space 24 via the drain channel 44 to the second rolling bearing 46. The corresponding flow of the fluid 22 is in Figure 1 indicated by a straight arrow.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of part of the drive arrangement 10 according to Figure 1 The direction of gravity points in Figure 2 downwards. The retaining ring 20 has a flat ring body 26 with a circular and centrally arranged passage 28 in which the shaft 12 is arranged.

[0033] At its upper section relative to the direction of gravity (i.e., in Figure 2 (above) the ring body 26 has an opening 36. At its lower section relative to the direction of gravity (i.e. in Figure 2 (below) the ring body 26 has a trough-like section 30.

[0034] A chamber 32 is arranged between the dam ring 20 and the radial shaft seal 18. This chamber is annular in shape and is bounded axially by the radial shaft seal 18 and the ring body 26 of the dam ring 20. In the radial direction, the chamber 32 is bounded on one side by the outer circumference of the shaft 12 (radially inwards) and on the other side by a section of the dam ring 20 and a section of the radial shaft seal 18 (radially outwards).

[0035] The fluid 22 directed into the space 24 can be directed from the space 24 into the chamber 32 through the opening 36 and the passage 28 (or the radial space between the inner circumference of the passage 28 and the outer circumference of the shaft 12). The corresponding flow rate of the fluid 22 is given in Figure 2indicated by arrows. By varying the diameters of the opening 36 and / or the passage 28, the amount of fluid 22 that is directed from the space 24 into the chamber 32 can be precisely adjusted.

[0036] The trough-like section 30 has a wall 38 which directs the trough-like section 30 towards the first rolling bearing 16 (in Figure 2 to the left). The fluid 22 directed into the space 24 is collected in the trough-like section 30 of the dam ring 20. As soon as the trough-like section 30 is full of fluid 22, the fluid 22 flows out of the trough-like section 30 initially towards the first rolling bearing 16. The corresponding flow of fluid 22 is in Figure 2 indicated by an arrow.

[0037] For this purpose, the wall 38 is designed such that the radial extent of the wall 38 is smaller than the radial extent of the ring body 26, which extends the trough-like section 30 in the direction of the radial shaft seal 18 (in Figure 2 to the right). In other words, the wall 38 has a lower height (relative to the direction of gravity) than the ring body 26, which limits the trough-like section 30 in the direction of the radial shaft seal 18.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the reservoir ring 20 according to a further training form. Figure 4 shows another perspective view of the reservoir ring 20 according to Figure 3 It can be seen that the ring body 26 of the dam ring 20 has a bulge 34 projecting into the trough-like section 30 at its lower end with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0039] The bulge 34, together with a wall section of a gearbox housing that externally delimits the gearbox 14, forms a section of a fluid or lubricant channel that leads from the radial shaft ring 18, for example, to another rolling bearing (not shown). In other words, fluid 22 can be discharged from the chamber 32 by means of the bulge 34.

Claims

1. Drive assembly (10), in particular for a vehicle, comprising a transmission (14) with a shaft (12), in particular an input shaft, and a first anti-friction bearing (16), in particular input shaft bearing, wherein the shaft (12) is mounted in the first anti-friction bearing (16), wherein the transmission (14) comprises a radial shaft sealing ring (18) which bears sealingly against the shaft (12) and seals the transmission (14) towards the outside, wherein the transmission (14) additionally comprises a restrictor ring (20) which is arranged axially between the first anti-friction bearing (16) and the radial shaft sealing ring (18) in an intermediate space (24), wherein the restrictor ring (20) is configured to accumulate a fluid (22), in particular a lubricant, in an intermediate space (24) between the first anti-friction bearing (16) and the radial shaft sealing ring (18), wherein the restrictor ring (20) has a flat annular body (26) with a passage (28), in particular circular and / or centrally arranged, which the shaft (12) penetrates, and a pan-like section (30) arranged on the annular body (26), wherein the restrictor ring (20) is configured to accumulate the fluid (22) within the pan-like section (30), characterized in that the pan-like section (30) has a wall (38), wherein the pan-like section (30) is delimited by means of the wall (38) in the direction of the first anti-friction bearing (16) and by means of the annular body (26) in the direction of the radial shaft sealing ring (18).

2. Drive assembly (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one chamber (32) is arranged between the annular body (26) of the restrictor ring (10) and the radial shaft sealing ring (18), wherein the annular body (26) has, in particular at its lower end with respect to the direction of gravity, at least one bulge (34) protruding into the pan-like section (30), wherein the bulge (34) is configured to discharge fluid (22) accumulated in the chamber (32) from the chamber (30).

3. Drive assembly (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the annular body (26) has, in particular at its upper section relative to the direction of gravity, at least one opening (36), wherein the intermediate space (24) and the chamber (30) are fluidically coupled to each other by means of the opening (36) and / or by means of the passage (28).

4. Drive assembly (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wall (38) has a smaller radial extent than the portion of the annular body (26) delimiting the pan-like section (30) in the direction of the radial shaft sealing ring (18).

5. Drive assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission (14) has at least one fluid collection chamber (40) for collecting the fluid (22) and at least one supply channel (42), wherein the fluid collection chamber (40) and / or the supply channel (42) are configured to supply the fluid (22) from the fluid collection chamber (40) by means of the feed channel (42) to the intermediate space (24), and / or in that the drive assembly (10) has an electric machine which is coupled to the shaft (12) such that the electric machine can drive the shaft (12) rotationally.

6. Drive assembly (10) according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transmission (14) has at least one discharge channel (44), wherein the discharge channel (44) is configured to remove the fluid (22) present in the intermediate space (24) from the intermediate space (24) in the upper region of, in particular above, the pan-like section (30) relative to the direction of gravity.

7. Drive assembly (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the transmission (14) comprises a second anti-friction bearing (46), in particular an intermediate shaft bearing, wherein the discharge channel (44) is configured to supply the fluid (22) from the intermediate space (24) to the second anti-friction bearing (46).

8. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, having a drive assembly (10) according to one of the preceding claims.